During the early 1800s the Primitive Baptists were establishing churches throughout Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, and Davidson Counties and the Rocky River Baptist Church was founded sometime between 1775 and 1776. John Culpepper of Anson County preached at the Ansonville church during the early 1800s until he was elected to Congress. After he left for Washington, his slave only known as Ralph replaced Culpepper at the pulpit and preached to a mixed congregation until his death in 1838. Ralph's tombstone can be found in the Bethlehem Cemetery in Ansonville.

During the 1940s, North Carolinian iron workers worked on projects from buildings in Raleigh to San Francisco's famous Golden Gate Bridge. Iron workers reached the pinnacle of their careers only after serving many years in lesser positions. Beginning as 'waterboys,' men became acquainted with the trade and then served as 'helper' before becoming a full-fledged iron worker. George Newton of the George E. Newton Company recalled some of the men he worked with and projects he had completed.

Rutherford County is a county rich in agriculture, industry, scenery, and history. Continuing his travels around the state, Goerch describes the things of interest he found there. He describes it as the most beautiful county in the state.

President Pierce appointed Robert Dick U.S. District Attorney for North Carolina in 1853. He was also a State Senator, a member of the North Carolina Supreme Court, and a supporter of W. W. Holden's peace movement during the Civil War. He was a man of strong convictions which were not always popular.

Reginald Fessenden, one of America's great inventors, spent two years on the coast of North Carolina conducting experiments with wireless. At the same time two other inventors were working nearby--the Wright brothers. However, when North Carolina approved raising $100,000 for a monument to Fessenden, hardly anyone in the state knew who he was or what he did.